The Amalgamated Union of App-based Transport Workers of Nigeria, under the platform of e-hailing companies, including Uber and Bolt, Rida, and Indriver, among others, has commence a nationwide strike over low fares and 25per cent commission rate being charged by the app-based transport companies.
The strike, which began today (Wednesday, June 7), was also in protest of the high commission rates set by the ride-hailing service providers in Nigeria.
The e-hailing drivers’ union had last Friday urged Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Indriver, and others to review their prices upward by 200% and set minimum trip fares at N2,000 following the recent hike in fuel price occasioned by the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) by the President Bola Tinubu government.
In a statement by the National President of the union, Mr. Adedamola Adeniran, the union said the new fuel price was causing hardship on its members’ earnings and patronages, which was why a 200% price increase across the platforms was necessary.
The union has urged all app-based workers across the country to be ready to fight the menace until victory was achieved.
The statement read in part: “The union’s technical team is versed with the operation and technicality of ride-hailing companies and on our calculations, any app company can breakeven charging below five per cent even though the union recommended a flat commission of 10 per cent or 50 per cent off their current commission during our last meeting, as we believe this will help us to cope with maintenance costs, spare parts and various overhead cost and the current fuel increase.
“We can no longer tolerate any act of dictatorial practices by any app company because we are workers and as an organised union, we have written several letters to these companies for a round table discussion where we can look at various areas of concern and dialogue but they have remained adamant with a deliberate intention to avoid responsibility.
“So, as a result of this insensitivity, the union is directing all its members across the nation to shut down their service on all ride-hailing applications from Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in protest against every dictatorial practice and lack of concern for welfare and security of App-Based Transport workers of Nigeria.”